Barrier alarm



Aug. 18, 1942.

BARRIER ALARM Filed June 9, 1941 IN V EN TOR.

J. K. LIVINGSTON 2,293,609

Patented Aug. 18, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BARRIER ALARM Jay K.Livingston, Houston, Tex., assignor of onehalf to Ben Battelstein,Houston, Tex.

3 Claims.

This invention aims to provide a simple means whereby a signal will begiven when an attempt is made to open a Venetian blind or other barrierunlawfully.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and toenhance the utility of devices of that type to which the present invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the preciseembodiment V of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within thescope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 shows in elevation, a device constructed in accordance with theinvention, parts being in section;

Fig, 2 is an elevation showing one member of the blind-retaining hook;

Fig. 3 is an elevation showing the complemental member of the hook;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing the hook structure in relation to apart of the blind;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken through the hook.

The letter B marks a barrier of any desired kind, such a Venetian blind,comprising slats I and a bottom rail 2 connected by vertical flexiblebands 3.

In order that a signal circuit may be operated when the blind is raised,a hook structure is shown as mounted on a window sill 4 although thehook structure might be otherwise mounted. Moreover, the way in whichthe conductors of the signal circuit are arranged, and the way in whichthey are shielded from view, so that an intruder will not know that hisactions are likely to be reported by a signal, will depend on whetherthe mechanism hereinafter described is incorporated in a buildingalready constructed, or in one that is being newly erected.

The foregoing qualification being carried in mind, combined circuitclosers and blind retainers 5, which may be headed screws, are mountedin the ends of the bottom rail 2, if the bottom rail is not alreadyprovided with such elements.

The hook structure, mounted on the window sill 4, if desired, is made upof complemental conducting members 6 and I, which are alike, saving forthe fact that the member I is provided at the inner end of its mouth 8with an enlarged opening 9. The members 6 and I of the hook structurehave oppositely projecting feet I0, shown as held on the window sill 4by securing elements I I, for example, screws.

A sheet of insulating material I2 is held tightly between the hookmembers 6 and I, and has a laterally projecting U-shaped hub I4,received in the opening 9 of the hook member I. The sheet I2 ofinsulating material conforms in outline to the hook members 6 and I.

The structure last-above described preferably is duplicated at each endof the bottom rail 2 of the blind B.

The numeral I5 marks an electrical circuit, located as found convenient,and concealed as the details of installation may dictate. In the circuitI5 is interposed a source I6 of electrical energy, which may be either abattery or the usual source of house current. A signal I! is interposedin the circuit I5 and is shown in the form of an audible signal,although a visible signal may be substituted if desired. A switch I8 isinterposed in the circuit I5, and is under the control of an operator,to the end that the house owner may render the signal mechanism activeor inactive, as he sees fit. The conductors of the circuit I5 may passthrough an opening I9 in the sill 4 and be held beneath the feet II] ofthe hook members 6 and I, in electrical contact therewith, by means ofthe securing elements II. The other hook structure can be brought intothe circuit I5 by means of conductors 20 when the blind B is drawn down,and when the circuit closers 5 are engaged with the hook structures, thecircuit closer 5 touches the hook member 6, but not the hook member I,because the circuit closer is engaged with the insulating hub I4. Sosoon, however, as a prowler attempts to unhook the lower part of theblind, the part 5 rides out of the insulating hub I4 and touches bothmembers 6 and I of the hook structure. The circuit I5 then is closed,the signal I! will become active, and notice will be given that a breachof the house or other building is in progress.

As is common in connection with any device adapted to form part of abuilding, allowance must be made for the fact that, as to installation,the structure of the building has to be taken into consideration.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a circuit closer, a bridge, a fixedlymcunted hook structureincluding substantiallyduplicated hook members located closely enoughtogether to receive the bridge, and insulation carried by one hookmember, in the bight thereof, and engaging the bridge, the insulationbeing so limited in area that, when an effort is made to detach thebridge from the hook structure, the bridge will ride off the insulation,and come into electrical contact with conducting portions of both hookmembers.

2. A circuit closer constructed as set forth in claim 1, and wherein theinsulation is a laterallyprojecting hub, forming part of an insulatingsheet which is bound between the hook members, said one hook memberbeing provided with an enlarged opening in which the hub is received.

3. In a circuit closer, a bridge, a fixedlymounted keeper structureincluding members located closely enough together to receive the bridge,and insulation carried by one keeper member and engaging the bridge, theinsulation being so limited in area that, when an effort is made todetach the bridge from the keeper structure, the bridge will ride offthe insulation, and come into contact with conducting portions of 10both keeper members.

JAY K. LIVINGSTON.

